Sports ramblings…with a Yankees bias!

The Title Defense Begins…

Now that CC is getting warmed up, Spring Training is officially underway…

Noah K. Murray/The Star Ledger

So far, Camp has been very quiet for Team World Champions.Of course, that figures to change when position players report next week.But it has been great to see the guys arriving in Tampa as they begin defense of their World Series championship.

Noah K. Murray/The Star Ledger

I always enjoy hearing about the players who re-committed themselves during the off-season, and arrive in camp in better shape than ever.This year’s “Biggest Losers” are reliever Jonathan Albaladejo and right fielder Nick Swisher.Both reported significantly lighter than we lost saw them in October.I have been a bit concerned that Swisher will have difficulty matching last season’s success, but hopefully, the weight loss will help him build upon the success and we’ll continue to see the A’s version of Swisher and not the White Sox version.

Sipkin/News

It’s evident the players have a great deal of respect for Andy Pettitte.Andy could have had the perfect ending to a great career by riding off to the sunset after last year’s championship, but he decided that he is not ready to hang up the glove yet.Obviously, I was disappointed when Andy admitted steroid use, however, throughout his career and including the time of the admission, Andy has handled himself with nothing but class and dignity.CC Sabathia credited Pettitte for helping his transition, and I am sure that he’ll have a similar influence on Javier Vazquez as he re-adjusts to life with the Yankees.I would have preferred if Andy had never left to play in Houston for three years, but conversely, the time away definitely gave Andy a different perspective and he clearly values his Yankees legacy now more than ever before.

Antonelli/News

I saw the comment by Hideki Matsui on the Angels MLB.com website that although he feels physically strong, his knees aren’t 100%.As tough as it was to see Godzilla leave, I think the Yankees made the right decision.While I recognize that he may have a great 2010 season, sooner or later he’ll begin breaking down and missing more time.Besides, there’s not much more that he could have done for a Yankees farewell than being named the World Series MVP.

Keivom/News

Speaking of ex-Yankees, Johnny Damon is now officially a member.He signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers for $8 million.Damon will definitely be the poster child for negotiating failures, at least for the short term.With better strategy, he could have secured a longer term deal for more money from the Yankees, but Damon and agent Scott Boras overvalued the market.Of course, the Yankees quickly moved on.I do not find fault with the Yankees approach because had they waited, they risked getting nothing.As it stands, the Yankees offense should be fine with Nick Johnson, Randy Winn and Marcus Thames on-board.I am still puzzled by the Tigers since they moved Curtis Granderson because of money, and he would have made less this year than Damon will cost them.I guess Damon is an $8 million insurance policy as a hedge to see if Austin Jackson is capable of making the leap to the major leagues.

AP

Another former Yankee, Chien-Ming Wang, signed with the Washington Nationals.I am surprised that he went with the Nats.Nothing against them, but I really expected to see Wang go with Joe Torre and the Los Angeles Dodgers.They have a clear need for a fifth starter, and if healthy, Wang could have potentially filled the void.Whatever happens, I wish Wang the best of luck…and health.I hope he has learned to run the bases now that he’ll be hitting in the National League.

Scott Miller/Reuters

Now that Jose Molina is in Toronto, it sounds like manager Joe Girardi is going to make sure that Jorge Posada and A.J. Burnett work as a team this spring.Hopefully, they’ll be able to build a good rapport.If not, I hope that Francisco Cervelli is up to the challenge of being A.J.’s personal caddy.

AP

The Yankees will definitely encounter more than a few former players (and manager) during the upcoming season.

LA Times

Hopefully, the “pies” will belong to the current Yankees and not the former crowd. It should be a fun season, and I am looking forward to the renewed battle with Julia.I was hoping that we’d have a few “warm-ups” during the Spring, but the Yankees and Red Sox are not scheduled to face each other until Opening Day.Oh well, I am looking forward to starting the season 1-0.Right, Julia?;)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

This is off-topic, but now that American Idol has reduced the field to 24, my early favorite is Janell Wheeler…

But then again, Ashley Rodriguez does have a great voice…

It should be a great Season 9 on American Idol!Music and Yankees baseball…sounds like it will be a great summer to me! If Julia doesn’t agree, this video says it all…

4 Comments

Of course you will have Yankees baseball this summer Scott! It just won’t be a winning summer of baseball!! You don’t agree? WHATEVER!! ;-) I took look forward to renewing our battles this season – but I’m afraid that you are confused…after April 4th it will indeed be 1-0 but it will be the Red Sox with the win! Game On my friend!!

It seems the Tigers have again come to Scott Boras’ rescue and sign a client that no other team wants. Curious…

And can’t say that I follow American Idol that closely. But hey..if Toby Keith is performing, make sure you let me know! lol!

Hey Scott,
So while I certainly don’t condone Petite’s use of steroids, I admire him for the way he handled the whole situation, as you said. It’s good that he didn’t hang up the glove after a great year just because he reached his goal. Wang could have definitely helped the Dodgers, but the Nats could use him too.
Elizabethhttp://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com

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